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Influenced by her friends, Sue Landy started smoking when she was 14. Although she managed to quit during both of her pregnancies, she smoked on and off for 31 years.
Nicotine dependence counselor Joanne Ebner, RN, knows how hard it is to quit, and has had years of experience getting people to kick the habit. "It is very difficult and it can be even more difficult to do on your own," she explains.
"I had never done a smoking cessation program. I had never done an exercise program before. So, yeah, I kind of was doing it on my own," says Sue of her experience trying to quit smoking before getting help from the smoking cessation program.
Joanne describes the program as "a seven week course that addresses all the issues of quitting smoking, including stress management, weight management... different strategies for helping with withdraw symptoms as well as all the triggers that go along with smoking and changing that whole habit."
"When I used to smoke, the first thing I would do in a stressful situation would be [to] reach for a cigarette," says Sue. "I know now that I don't need that." She now has the tools she needs to work through any emotional situation that may arise, nicotine free.
Joanne encourages smokers who want to kick the habit to at least go and talk to the dedicated smoking cessation counselors. "I think that first step is often the most difficult and if they're willing to just meet with us and speak with us over the phone, we can give them some ideas on how to make this a little bit easier."
Going to the weekly classes helped keep Sue honest about her progress, not only with herself but with the support group. The encouragement she received from her peers was immensely helpful for her.
Soon, Sue had saved enough money for a trip to Key West- $1540, in fact, which would have gone to cigarettes.
"Please, don't give up! I'm telling you, if I can do it, anybody can do it!"
